Johnny Esaw CTV Sports
On My Walk: Remembering Johnny Esaw
St. James the-Less Cemetery, Rosedale Valley, Toronto
On my walk through the peaceful St. James the-Less Cemetery in Toronto’s Rosedale Valley, I came across the grave of one of Canada’s most iconic broadcasters and sports figures — Johnny Esaw.
Born in North Battleford, Saskatchewan to Assyrian immigrant parents, Johnny’s career began with a twist of fate — when Hockey Hall of Famer Emile “The Cat” Francis asked him to announce a local semi-pro baseball game on the radio. That moment sparked a lifelong passion for broadcasting.
Emile Francis, NHL hockey executive gave Esaw his start.
In 1960, legendary hockey announcer Foster Hewitt brought Johnny east to join the fledgling CFTO (CTV Network), and with that, the distinct voice we had grown to love on radio found a home on television screens across the country.
While Johnny covered everything from the CFL to Olympic figure skating, his most unforgettable broadcast moment came during the 1972 Summit Series. After Canada’s Game 4 loss to the Soviets in Vancouver, Esaw convinced Phil Esposito to give an emotional live interview — a moment that turned public sentiment in Canada and galvanized a nation. Phil’s heartfelt words to Canadians remain etched in our memory:
“To the people across Canada, we tried, we gave it our best, and to the people that boo us… all of us guys are really disheartened and we’re disillusioned, and we’re disappointed at some of the people.”
That moment helped change the course of the series — and Canadian sports history.
Johnny Esaw was inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame, the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame, the Canadian Figure Skating Hall of Fame, and was made a Member of the Order of Canada for his extraordinary contributions to Canadian broadcasting.
Johnny Esaw receiving the Order of Canada from Governor General, Adrienne Clarkson in 2004.
He passed away in Toronto on April 6, 2013, at the age of 88. His grave, bears the inscription: Always Together
1925-2013
